Republican lawmakers seek tougher sanctions on Russia

Nineteen Republican US senators introduced legislation on Wednesday proposing broader and tougher measures to punish Russia over the Ukraine crisis, including sanctions on major banks and energy companies, as well as $100 million in military aid for Kiev.

The package would also require President Barack Obama to increase substantially US and NATO support for the armed forces of Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia and accelerate implementation of missile defense in Europe. (Reuters)